Hey All, new guy here. Going to be picking up a 2006 6MT sedan on Monday with only 78k miles! Pretty excited, this is my first RWD vehicle and I'm looking forward to using this as my DD. Also itching to start with mods, springs/shocks being top on my priority list. Sway bars probably to follow shortly.

I've been digging through these forums and have found a lot of good info. I saw the sticky about the G sedan with G/C combo, and also the thread about using the full 08 350Z suspension:
https://g35driver.com/forums/brakes-...nsion-pix.html
https://g35driver.com/forums/brakes-...uspension.html

Where are you all finding these killer deals on the revised (2004.5-2008?) 350Z full suspension? I see people posting about getting the full set of shocks and springs for 100-200, but I'm not seeing these deals anywhere and no luck on eBay. If there is somewhere to buy the parts new for a decent deal, I could go for that as well. Ideally they'd be low miles or new shocks, so I don't have to worry about replacement anytime soon.

For those of you with this setup - are you still happy with it over the years? I had Koni Yellow adjustables with Neuspeed Sports on my 5MT Accord and loved that setup. I think the OEM 350Z will be a bit softer than that, but that's okay.

Also - does anyone have the P/N's if I were to order new?

Thanks in advance,
Tim

 

Bang Ding Owe

 

that's captain to you

 

Ho Lee ***

 

You have the 6MT, so you already have the stiffer sport suspension. If I recall, the spring rates for the sport suspension and the 350z revised are pretty much the same. (There's a great thread around here with the various spring rates and identification markings plus drop heights). So you'd pretty much be getting just a small drop.

I put 350z springs on mine a few years ago. But I didn't have the sport setup and wanted the stiffer suspension. I wasn't really caring about the drop as much. After the remaining Life wore out on the Z struts, I moved to The tokico blues a few months ago. But I also replaces L/R compression rods and lower control arms at the same time.

The drop starts eating ancillary costs. I has to get a rear camber kit for alignment issues. Still a bit excess negative camber in the front. So a little accelerated tire wear. I'm thinking about getting kintetix front camber arms soon. But might be a while.

My car had stollen sway bars and nismo CAI when I bought it. I think I would have got those first before getting the suspension tweaks.

I went with 350z because it is cheap to get. G35 sport springs don't come up often for sale. But lots of Z owners tweak theirs and sell the leftovers. I got mine for about $150 off ebay. Just have to look around. Also check out the Z forums. The guy I bought from had upgraded to nismo suspension for his Z.

Btw, I did have an issue trying to use the rear shocks from the Z. Never figured out why, but they were about an inch too short to install. Nobody else has ever mentioned this. Guess I'm just lucky.

 

Good info, thanks wompem. Somehow I missed the tidbit that all 6MT have sport suspension, I assumed this was only an option.

For reference, here's the spring rate info from another thread:
350z
2003 - 2004 - 350Z oem spring rates - 314/342
2004.5 - 2006 - 350Z oem spring rates - 314/427 (two red dots and a purple dot for the rear spring)

Coupe
2003 - 2004 - G35 coupe with oem 17's or 18's spring rates - 314/342
2005 - 2006 - G35 coupe with oem 19's - 314/427

Sedan
2003 -2006 - G35 sedan AT and MT with sport suspension spring rates - 314/342
2003 - 2006 - G35 sedan non sport spring rates - 283/308

Sedan X
2004 - 2006 - G35x - 283/355

To sum up the opinions from other threads, most here are saying that the damping rates of even the sport shocks can't handle the spring rate of the 427 lbs/in rear springs found on the revised (2004.5-2008) 350Z. Result would be an under-damped ("bouncy") ride quality and shortened damper lifespan. The fronts of course would be the same other than the drop.

About the rear camber kit. I had read that there is enough OEM adjustment to handle the 1" drop that the 350Z springs will result in. Is that not true in all cases?

 

There wasn't enough adjustment on my rear to get in spec. Of coarse, the front hasno adjustment capability.

https://g35driver.com/forums/brakes-...ml#post6012302 = my alignment after the springs. As you can see, another had similar need for rear camber kit. I gather that it is hit/miss on if it is needed. Some yes. Some no.

Here's the issue I had with the rear shock lengths. https://g35driver.com/forums/brakes-...-question.html

 

The 350z springs would only drop you a 1/2" not a full inch. But, honestly, being as they have the same exact spring rate, you could cut your current springs for free rather than purchase springs from a Z. The problem with cutting your springs is that the spring rate remains the same, so they compress the same but with a shorter distance between the ends. Usually, you want to up the rate of a shorter spring to account for the lack of distance between the ends. Basically a softer spring has more spring to account for clearance. It can compress a decent amount and still clear a driveway. A shorter spring can't be as soft or your car will bottom out easier, so they make drop springs with high spring rates (which also accounts for performance). If the 350z springs have the same spring rate tho, then theyre literally just shorter G springs and have already been proven to work at that rate even with the extra weight.. So just cut em.

Also, being that the G can't even be properly aligned in stock form (regardless of their "specs"), having an aftermarket camber kit is highly suggested for all applications.

 

Z springs drop a coup 1/2" but drop a sedan 1".

 

Ah, wasnt paying attention to the fact his was a sedan. Haha

 

Thanks for the info guys, I'll look into camber kits as well.

I appreciate your suggestion, but I don't think cutting springs is a great idea. In addition, overall spring rate actually increases if you cut a spring. Springs in series decrease effective spring rate (think about stacking two identical springs - they would be easier to depress by an inch compared to one spring by itself). This is why cars with cut springs bounce around more - the spring rate has increased while damping rate has remained the same.

 

Maybe on progressive springs. I don't see how that's relevant on linear springs. I know there are pros who cut their springs and as long as you cut them precisely you shouldn't have bouncing problems.

 

Well actually the principle is true whether its a linear or progressive spring. If you cut any spring, it's rate will increase. Anyways it's a moot point - I'm not going that route. Just wanted to clarify the misinformation. Thanks for your input.

 

Why can't a G be properly aligned?